The cabanas will provide services and amenities such as padded furniture (including chairs and a couch), dedicated cast members, towels, a lockable cabinet, a mounted television with cable access, and charging outlets. [Read more…]

We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re talk about the 10 best hotel pools at Disney World! Let’s dive in!

Lava Pool at the Polylnesian

Figuring out which Disney World hotel is right for you and your family means deciding if the pool is right for you too! After all, your kids might want to go to the pool more than the parks… . [Read more…]

You know how sometimes we tell you about a slightly out-of-the-way place and say it’s totally worth the effort to get there? This will not be one of those times. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grille is located adjacent to (the stupendously awesome) Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a small menu of snacks for hungry swimmers (and any hungry passersby).

Hurricane Hanna’s

The style of this outdoor bar is slightly nautical, with clean lines and neat hanging lanterns. There’s seating at the bar, which is covered and provides some shade.

After a truly amazing recent stay at the Yacht Club, I really wanted to share some info about Hurricane Hanna’s as the second installment of the Pool Bars series.

Stormalong Bay

This is the pool bar for Stormalong Bay, that mini-water-park nestled between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. I’ve spent many lovely afternoons lounging by this pool, taking advantage of the super-duper long shipwreck slide, and greatly enjoying the poolside service by Hurricane Hanna’s waitstaff.

Hurricane Hanna's Bar and Grill Sections

But even though you need a wristband proving that you’re staying at Y&BC to swim in Stormalong, you can visit Hurricane Hanna’s even if you’re not a resort guest! Strolling on the Boardwalk? Head over to Hanna’s for a hot dog or a Mai Tai! There are several tables with umbrellas available for guests to sit and relax.

Arrows Point You to the Correct Side of the Queue

Hurricane Hanna’s menu includes your standard Disney Pool Bar drinks (though I think I remember, back in the day, they had a drink called the Hurricane Hanna — anyone recall this?)

Frozen Selections

On the Rocks

And Hanna’s also has a varied food menu. You’ve even got a well-stocked condiments bar situated in a “canoe!”

Hot Items and Kids' Picks

Cold Selections and Snacks

Beer, Beverages, and Ice Cream

Condiments Canoe

Don’t forget that you can pop behind Hanna’s and play some ping pong!

Stormalong Bay Ping Pong Table

If you’re not at the pool, pop over to the Yacht Club beach to get a hair wrap, pick a pearl, or just relax on a lounge chair.

Yacht and Beach Club Hair Wrap Station

Pick a Peark Station

Hurricane Hanna’s, because it’s situated properly to be rather available for use by those just visiting the Boardwalk, is definitely one of the more accessible pool bars on Disney property. It’s also a great way to grab a glimpse at the largess of Stormalong Bay!

The next time you’re out and about between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, take a stroll over to the Yacht and Beach Clubs and enjoy a nice, relaxing beverage on the beach. You’ll thank yourself!

Yachtsman Steakhouse is one of those Disney Resort restaurants that I didn’t even know was there for several years. Then one day I caught Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel eating steak at some hoity-toity restaurant during the Yacht and Beach Club “Great Hotels” special, and I knew I had to try it!

Restaurant Forum Plaque

I was lucky enough to do so during Disney’s first free dining stint several years ago. It’s now become a standard in our Disney restaurant rotation whenever we need a special treat or celebration.

Located in the Yacht Club Resort, Yachtsman Steakhouse is a high-end dinner spot with a view of Stormalong Bay. Specializing in delicious grain-fed beef steaks, the restaurant has a glass-walled butchering room where guests can actually see their steaks being prepared!

Butchering Room

Led into the restaurant past the open kitchen, guests can catch a glimpse of the dessert offerings before being seated in a dining room furnished in sturdy knotty pine, leather, and brass. If you’re lucky enough to be seated in my favorite section – the semi-circular room with plenty of window tables – be sure to take a glance upward at the simple, elegant chandelier above.

Open Kitchen

Dining Room

The View From Our Favorite Table

Chandelier

As I said, this restaurant is a permanent fixture on our “fancy places” rotation; and I will say that spots only get on that list when we know we can expect excellent service, fabulous food, and a comfortable atmosphere. We’re picky, and this place fits every one of our guidelines.

That said, there are always little changes and updates being made to the menu. Desserts are tweaked, the cheese plate is rotated, and even steak offerings can be different from time to time (we were sorely missing the boneless rib eye), but we always walk out happy. It’s like a miracle.

This evening, we ordered our dinners and were faced with the first change: weird butter. Usually, Yachtsman brings a basket of gorgeous onion and sourdough rolls along with a HUGE pat of butter topped with sea salt. Today, the butter was in a dish with oil and balsamic vinegar. Butter’s my favorite, so I was a bit concerned; but this stuff was amazing. Yes! Please add weird oil and balsamic vinegar to my butter!

Yachtsman Steakhouse Onion Rolls and Roasted Garlic

Sourdough Rolls

Butter with Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Salt

We moved on to salad and my cheese plate. The salad was simple and elegant; the cheese plate was delicious as always. I know I owe you guys a cheese plate blog, which I’ll do soon, but for now, here’s the pic and description of the plate.

Cheese Plate

Cheese Plate Descriptions

Caesar Salad

From there, we enjoyed our entrees (…steak) and extra order of fries (what can I say? We were in the mood for fries!). My steak — the Cowboy Steak — was a bone-in rib-eye. I substituted gratin potatoes for the fried onion strips on the menu.

Cowboy Steak and Potato Gratin with White Diamond Cheddar

Yachtsman Filet with Mashed Potatoes

French Fries

At this point, you can imagine we were stuffed, so we skipped dessert. But no worries; I took a shot of the dessert tray for you!

Desserts

Here’re the specs! Enjoy!

Dinner menu here. All other menus (including wine and dessert) can be found here.